Letitia James wins New York attorney general primary

Letitia James, New York City’s public advocate, won the Democratic primary for New York state attorney general, and could become the first African-American woman to hold statewide office in New York.

James defeated US Rep. Sean Maloney, attorney Zephyr Teachout, and Leecia Eve, a Verizon executive with past government experience.

James won the backing of the state Democratic Party and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s endorsement, which gave her a boost of name recognition and clout outside of New York City, where she’s served as the public advocate since 2014 and previously served as a City Council member.

James had jumped out as the frontrunner for the attorney general job soon after Eric Schneiderman resigned amid assault allegations. But as insurgent progressive campaigns started to get attention in New York and elsewhere, James’s Democratic Party backing turned her into the establishment figure in the race. She bristled at the label, as she told New York magazine, “In May, I was the progressive darling, and now I am the Establishment.”